The Flower of the STEM: Liberal Arts

In today’s technology driven world, there is a careerist push to convince students to go into the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics world – also known as STEM. Putting a Bachelor of Science on a pedestal has made a Bachelor of Arts degree a lost art form.

Institutions across the nation are redesigning the college question, what really matters in education? Liberal Arts education promotes a wide spectrum of learning that ranges from subjects such as music and arts, to majors that focus more on ethics, like the humanities.

Not only do students learn a breadth of content, but they develop character through the broad curriculum offered in the arts. Those pursuing a Liberal Arts education are often passion-driven individuals who are in it to cultivate the best person they can be.

Students strive to be well-rounded citizens who critically analyze the world outside of a formula. Furthermore, those in the Liberal Arts are more tolerant of differences, given that a large part of the curriculum consists of learning about diverse perspectives.

The skills a student acquires while working on degrees within the arts are applicable to the world outside of school. Those in the arts use the tools they pick up to better themselves, their relationships with other people, and to engage in civic contexts.

Career wise, students in the Liberal Arts develop transferable attributes that can be applied to any job. Employers are looking for the skills that define a Liberal Arts student.

This list proves that potential employers are looking for people who can collaborate with others, hone problem-solving skills, can effectively communicate, among other assets that a Bachelor of Arts degree grants students.

Unfortunately, the arts are drying up. People stigmatize a Bachelor of Arts degree because they believe it is not as fruitful as a Bachelor of Science degree.

The most common argument made is that science is the future. The thing is, all of the innovations made by those in the sciences are applied to people, which correlates to the humanities.

“Life depends on science, but the arts make it worth living.” Says John Martin, a British scientist.

Skeptics of the Bachelor of Arts also claim that these degrees are unemployable. Statistics show that the average person will have seven different careers in their lifetime.

Given that a Liberal Arts education entails various skills, an employee can transfer their applicable knowledge to any career. This is important because the future job market cannot be predicted, and a Liberal Arts alumni can act on their feet to use their talents to apply for any job.

Furthermore, students that received a Liberal Arts education reported having a more intimate relationship with their Professors. Professors easily learned their students’ names, and there were smaller class sizes. These components make the learning environment of a Liberal Arts student more manageable and personal.

A Liberal Arts classroom is an interactive atmosphere in which students can learn from one another through their different perspectives and realities. A more modern approach to teaching the Liberal Arts is known as the “flipped classroom,” where teachers use class time to ensure students work together in hands-on projects. Lectures are held online at the student’s own time.

No major can grant students an exact projection of how their future will unveil. Factors of a student’s success are not limited by just their major, it is a combination of passion and effort that leads to their success.

Business Insider released a list of 30 successful people who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, such as business leader and former Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney. Romney earned a degree in English. Former Walt Disney CEO Michael Eisner did not take a single Business class, but was instead a double-major in English and Theatre.

Experts say that in some cases, the major someone chooses to go in does not matter to employers. Potential employers want employees who hold a degree, and Liberal Arts alumni have a diverse skill set that will make their resume stand out.

Earning a degree is proof enough that a person is educated, hard-working, and driven. College students should pursue a degree based on their strengths and passions.

There is no point in going into a field just because it promises money. This greed poses a hazard, as a student may not even enjoy what they are studying. Ultimately, this disdain will transfer to their future career.

Although those pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree may not even land a career directly related to their field of study, they can find solstice in knowing they studied a subject that sparked their passion. Above all, those in the Liberal Arts are the embodiment of what today’s employers are looking for.